HC Deb 27 January 1981 vol 997 c381W
Mr. McQuarrie

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether his department issues any guidance to doctors on the treatment of newly born children who are seriously handicapped.

Dr. Vaughan

The problems of treating newly born handicapped babies are essentially clinical; the early management of each child is the responsibility of the doctor concerned. It would not be appropriate for the Department to issue detailed advice but general professional guidance was given in the booklet, "Care of the Child with Spina Bifida", prepared by the Standing Medical Advisory Committee in 1973.